Joshua King: Man Utd consider second bid for Bournemouth striker
Written by News on 31/01/2020
Manchester United are considering a second bid for Bournemouth striker Joshua King after their first offer was rejected.
United are keen to sign a new striker before Friday’s transfer deadline and it is understood Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking at the Norway international as a possible replacement for the injured Marcus Rashford.
“I know what Manchester United means to him so let’s wait and see,” said Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe on Friday.
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King played under Solskjaer in United’s reserves but was unable to make the breakthrough to the senior team.
Bournemouth have rejected the bid because they feel King is crucial to their relegation fight, but according to Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper, United could make a second bid to bring him back to Old Trafford.
He said: “He’s a player that Manchester United know plenty about – he came through the academy here. Solskjaer knows him well. It wouldn’t surprise me if United went back in. It’s certainly an interesting name and one that’s got more resonance than Salomon Rondon or Willian Jose.”
The 28-year-old has established himself at Bournemouth in the Premier League, scoring 45 goals in 151 appearances.
If United were to sign King, Blackburn have a sell-on percentage of any deal, which is thought to be around 20 per cent.
Despite their ongoing search for a new striker, United have turned down the chance to sign Real Sociedad forward Willian Jose.
Bournemouth not ruling out King exit
Speaking in his press conference on Friday morning, Howe said the club wanted to keep King but did not rule out his departure.
“Josh is much valued and loved by us and obviously another club has seen how good he is so let’s wait and see,” said Howe.
“He’s a massive part of our team. He’s got unique pace and strength coupled with technical ability and an eye for goal. Speaking as the manager of the club, I’d be very reluctant to lose a player of that quality and from our point of view, the difficulty is how late it is in the window to find a replacement.
Asked about the prospect of another offer, Howe added: “It’s a difficult question for me to answer because a lot of these things are out of my control. It’s not my call. It’s for the chief executive and the owner. All I can say is that I love Josh as a player and a person. I understand his position. I know what Manchester United means to him so let’s wait and see.”
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